Kamloops not alone in opposition to provincial transit funding freeze

KAMLOOPS – Kamloops and dozens of other municipalities are asking the provincial government to reconsider its freeze on transit funding.

The city has a resolution at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, which got underway today in Vancouver, asking the delegates to strongly urge the Premier, the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Finance to reconsider the freeze and consult with “affected stakeholders.”

The Lower Mainland Local Government Association, which represents 33 local governments and three regional districts, was more specific in their resolution urging the province to reconsider the funding freeze for 2015 and 2016, and restore previously promised funding until 2018.

The goal of changes to Kamloops’ transit system, implemented on Sept. 1, was to create more reliability and efficiency using existing resources and services levels. Examples include the 8 Battle route replaced by the 7 Aberdeen and one additional midday trip for the 14 Batchelor Heights. City council also opted to lower regular fares in Kamloops from $2.25 to a flat $2 per person.

Another Kamloops resolution calls on the province to simplify the Disability Tax Credit application process to allow people to apply directly for a Registered Disability Savings Plan.

The Columbia Shuswap region has a resolution at the convention asking for upgrades to critical accident zones on highways, specifically the Trans-Canada between Kamloops and the Alberta border.

The Thompson-Nicola region is asking for support for its resolution regarding fire inspection in unincorporated areas.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dana Reynolds at dreynolds@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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